Demi Lovato has made a name for herself in Hollywood and beyond, both for her incredible singing talent and her passion for ridding the world of mental health stigma. Since her breakout role in Disney's Camp Rock at 15, the now-25-year-old has not been shy about her own personal struggles, from her bipolar disorder diagnosis to her battles with self-harm, bulimia and addiction. After celebrating six years of sobriety in March 2018, Demi sadly relapsed and then overdosed on July 24, when the "Sorry Not Sorry" singer was rushed to the hospital. Fans and celebrities alike have been pouring their hearts out on social media in support of the recovering star and her family.
Throughout her journey of self-discovery, the singer has always been a light and voice of hope for her millions of fans across the world. If anyone has the power to lift people up through song, it's Demi Lovato. Click through to read her most empowering quotes...
Photo: © Getty Images
When Seventeen asked Demi for her advice for young women back in 2011, one year after she entered rehab, the star responded: "If you are going through that dark period, go to your family and closest friends. Don't put yourself in danger. It's very crucial that you get your feelings out - but don't ever inflict harm on your own body because your body is so sacred. I wish I could tell every young girl with an eating disorder, or who has harmed herself in any way, that she's worthy of life and that her life has meaning. You can overcome and get through anything."
Photo: © Instagram/@ddlovato
The 25-year-old singer is a voice for self-esteem and body positivity. Taking to Twitter, Demi wrote to her fans: "Instead of looking in the mirror and focusing on your flaws, look in the mirror and appreciate your best features... everyone has them."
Photo: © Instagram/@ddlovato
After getting out of treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, Demi had an interview and photoshoot with Glamour and opened up about tattoos she has that cover scars from self-harm. "I think scars are like battle wounds—beautiful, in a way. They show what you've been through and how strong you are for coming out of it. My tattoos say 'Stay strong.' 'Stay' on one [wrist] and 'strong' on the other," she told the publication. "Now I'm able to look at them and be thankful for being alive. I think that I've been blessed over the past year to be able to start over."
Photo: © Instagram/@ddlovato
One of Demi's Instagram posts really resonated with her fans. She shared a photo of herself in a bathing suit while on vacation, opening up in the caption about her struggle with disordered eating: "So, I’m insecure about my legs in this picture but I’m posting it because I look so happy and this year I’ve decided I’m letting go of my perfectionism and embracing freedom from self criticism. Learning to love my body the way it is is challenging but life changing. Giving up my eating disorder has been the most challenging journey of my life but I work every day towards solid recovery even if I mess up sometimes. Today I’m feeling strong. You all can do it too. It IS possible. Thank you God for this new chapter in my life. #EDrecovery #happyAF"
Photo: © Instagram/@ddlovato
Latina asked Demi what prompted her to share that photo and message. The "Sorry Not Sorry" singer responded: "I keep hearing this “thigh gap” thing and when you hear it so many times it starts to get embedded into your head. I think it’s important that somebody says, “Hey if you don’t have this, it doesn’t mean that you’re not beautiful and it doesn’t mean that you don’t have a beautiful body.” I don’t naturally have one, but I feel really confident in my shape and I’ve worked on it and gotten to a really healthy place. I know that I may not have one, but I’ve come really far and I’m proud of the body that I’m in today — and I just want women to feel that way as well."
Photo: © Instagram/@ddlovato
Demi, who has suffered from bulimia and anorexia, opened up to Fitness magazine about her struggle with body image. "We all have problem areas. I'm always going to have thick thighs. I can't change that, and obsessing over it will only make me miserable. Learning to be grateful for our bodies and taking care of them are the best ways for us to empower ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually."
Photo: © C Flanigan/Getty Images
Back in 2014, the singer took to Twitter to share some of her inspiring wisdom: "You CAN turn your life around. You can go through hell AND BACK. It IS possible. NEVER underestimate yourself. I BELIEVE IN YOU.."
Photo: © Getty Images
The star visited On Air with Ryan Seacrest in 2011, the year one of her biggest hits "Skyscraper" was released. Sharing her experience with addiction, she told Ryan: "It's going to be okay. No matter how hard your rock bottom is, you can rise above it and you can come back."
Photo: © Steve Granitz/WireImage
In her book Staying Strong: 365 Days a Year, Demi writes: "Stay strong, be brave, love hard and true, and you will have nothing to lose."
Photo: © Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Global Citizen
Speaking to Women's Health magazine in 2015, Demi opened up about her struggle with bipolar disorder. "It’s possible to live well, feel well, and also find happiness with bipolar disorder or any other mental illness [you're] struggling with.”
Photo: © Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Global Citizen